Sentier des Templiers

The traces of the Knights Templar dot this trail, full of geological mysteries and legends. It explains how these knight monks shaped their landscape and the forest. Yellow footpath markings
(D/A) Rue de la Héronnière, opposite the Maison de la Nature in Boult-aux-Bois, start to the right of the departure sign towards the RD947 which crosses the village. At the crossroads, turn left, pass in front of the basket maker's shop, go up the street and continue towards the old fortified house of the Commander. Information panel n°1 at the old fortified house Continue on this street and go straight up to the National Forest. Enter the woods and continue straight up.
(1) At the top of the hill, at the place called Jardin Gascon, admire the panorama and continue on the small path which goes off to the left. A few dozen meters further on, the very first contact with the Templars' ditch which will be followed for a large part of the walk. Information panel n°2 Continue on this path always straight ahead.
(2) At the crossroads, turn left, going around the first stone of the Templars' ditch. Information panel No. 3 Continue along the boundary of the National Forest. A descent leads to a small stream that must be crossed. After the stream, continue to the crossroads with a plot path, turn right then left immediately after. Follow the climb in the Templars' ditch straight ahead and reach the plateau.
(3) At the crossroads, go straight ahead along the Templars' ditch. The path then descends to the Sandstone Fountain. Continue straight along the ditch.
(4) At the Fontaine aux Grès, turn left and walk along the Templars' ditch. Continue straight on this narrow path. Information panel No. 4 Pass by the place called Blanche Borne and keep the ditch to your left. Information panel No. 5
(5) Arriving at the Grand Colas forest road, continue straight ahead, turning right, and continue this way until you reach the D947 departmental road. Be very careful when crossing it to catch up with the forest path on the other side.
(6) At the intersection, go straight ahead into the ditch opposite. Continue straight ahead in the ditch. When you reach another intersection, go straight ahead to reconnect with the ditch. After two bends in the ditch, go downhill. At a new intersection, head north-northwest, turning slightly left. Then reach the Templars' ditch at the bottom of a hill.
(7) After the climb, the place called Les Mallasises. At the intersection, turn left and go straight on to the Mariage forest road. Information panel n°6 Cross the Mariage forest road and go straight ahead to reach the Templars ditch. Always walk in the ditch, make a long descent then a long climb. Turn left while always staying in the ditch, go back down again.
(8) Exit the ditch and turn right onto the path to follow it. Go uphill, continue straight ahead then go down to the forest road below.
(9) Once you reach the forest road leading to the Dauphin du Gros Chêne, turn left onto it, then walk 500m and turn right to re-enter the woods. Visit the Dauphin and continue straight ahead along the plot path. Cross a stream and continue straight ahead.
(10) From this point, the small path runs bucolically alongside the meadow and stream. Head left towards Boult aux Bois, following the stream and its meanders until you reach the exit from the woods.
(11) At the forest road, turn right towards Gros Chêne where a picnic area has been set up, then take a small path on the right and follow it straight on.
(12) At the crossroads, keep heading towards Boult aux Bois, heading North-North East. Exit the woods by taking a white path and reach the village, passing near a stream and a hunting cabin.
(13) Turn right onto Rue de la Héronnière. The Maison de la Nature is now within sight.